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Why can't I edit my Windows 10 Hosts file?

I'm implementing a new ADFS version -- testing is done by editing the local hosts file. Users run Windows 10. Some users can run as Administration using Notepad and edit c:\windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts and save it. Some absolutely cannot. It looks like they should have permissions - based on effective permissions --but they get a permissions error. We've tried 4 desktops running Windows 10 -- 2 worked easily -- 2 will not work. What's the difference? The user is an Administrator on the computer. We stumped.

Giovanni

Do you have antivirus software running which prevents writing to the HOSTS file?

C Emmons

ASKER

Not that I'm aware of -- it's pushed out campus wide and should be the same fro everyone. The people who 'work' should have the same anti-virus.

C Emmons

ASKER

The builts of Windows 10 could possibility differ -- since everyone didn't get their computer from the same batch. Could that be related.

Giovanni

Try running LockHunter or similar on the file and post your results.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Lee W, MVP

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John

You must open Notepad with Run as Administrator (even if you are Administrator). Navigate to HOSTS. open, edit and save.

noxcho

Install Notepad++ and open the file with it. It will ask you by saving the changes to run the program under administrator.

it_saige

Also check to make sure that the file is not Read Only.

-saige-

C Emmons

ASKER

I am using Notepad.exe - runas Administrator -- it works on two PCs - but doesn't work on the two. One of the two that don't work -- is using notepad ++.

it_saige

Did you check to ensure that the file on the two systems that it won't work on is Read Only or not? Regardless of whether you run as Administrator, if the file is explicitly set as Read Only, you will not be able to save it.

-saige-

C Emmons

ASKER

It is not read only - we did check.

John

On one of the Windows 10 Machines , open cmd.exe with Run as Administrator and run:

SFC /SCANNOW followed by

dism.exe /online /Cleanup-image /restorehealth

Restart and test again